Disintegrating Tool Cabinet Casters

[abstamaria]

We noticed several weeks ago that the casters, specifically the rubber wheels, on the Proto roll cabinets we use for shop supplies had begun to disintegrate. One in fact had fallen apart completely. This was of course a precarious condition, as the cabinet might tip over.

 

[abstamaria]

Prematurely Biodegradable

The caster wheels are rubber, 1-3/4“ wide and 5“ tall. They seem formulated so as to biodegrade, but do so far too quickly, as some plastics, rubber, and vinyl products on rubber shoes, cars, and other things. The cabinets are probably 15 years old, but, still, it’s disappointing to see a poor quality material on an industrial product. I examined the other wheels, and several have begun to break apart as well. The others have cracks in them.

 

[Marctrees]

Very intersting, I would never expect that.

What can you do but replace them? (if you need mobility anyway)

Otherwise, just remove elevate cabinet from floor w 2X or whatever.

I feel EBAY is the best source for casters at the best price.

Just be discerning "due diligence" on all facets of the purchase. Marc

 

[abstamaria]

Biodegradable Material

Yes, I did not expect that as well, Marc. The material just seems to have broken apart on its own. The environment is not a harsh one, and in fact the humidity is controlled and the temperature not hot. The cabinets are not near electric motors.

I thought it would be easy to find replacement casters or wheels, but found that isn’t so. They seem to have a different sizing standard for tool cabinet casters. A source on the web notes, “don’t bother to look in hardware stores. They won’t have them.”

Andy

 

[jim faston]

Here maybe?
http://www.algood-casters.com/

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, Jim. I searched the Web and found a source for caster sets for toolboxes—Caster Specialists.” They have the attachment plate size to suit Proto, which is probably standard with Snap-on and the others.

I had not seen the page you pointed out. They have very interesting casters!

Andy

 

[58Yeoman]

I don't think that I'd go with algood, as they are the ones that are breaking apart now.

 

[Bill Bowman]

Perhaps the manufacturer would make it ALLGOOD by replacing the defective casters?

 

[joel]

Perhaps the manufacturer would make it ALLGOOD by replacing the defective casters?

2x

Certainly worth a try.

 

[abstamaria]

Proto

The casters (1-3/4" by 5") that broke apart are the original ones that came with the Proto cabinets. The 2" by 5" rubber wheels on the other Proto cabinets I have, about 14 years old now, seem to be OK. I hope they don't start to disintegrate as well.

Andy

 

[Broken Tool]

I have used castercity.com in the past for miscellaneous industrial casters. They have a huge selection.

 

[Kevin54]

The manufacturer should make good on the casters. I had a couple on my Masterforce rollers lose the rubber on the casters, and they were all replaced for free.

 

[Lassen Forge]

The casters on my 30+ year old craftsman boxes did the same thing 10 years ago - not to mention I always felt they were too small and wimpy for the intended purpose in the first place. I found replacement casters with the same bolt pattern (but way heavier duty) at the local hardware store and I'm good to go for another 30 years. (Actually, I'm about this close to pulling the trigger on a good SO box and never worrying about it for the rest of my grandkids life...)

Hmmm... maybe I should have taken them back to sears and gotten a warranty replacement.

 

[abstamaria]

I have a Snap-On roll cabinet as well, Lassen Forge, and there doesn't seem much difference in quality between it and the Proto cabinets. Disintegrating wheels may be a Snap-On feature as well.

Andy

 

[D45]

I had rubber wheels on a small shop table that did the same thing

I overloaded the table/wheel capacity several times.........cheap, junk castors in addition to weight limits contributed to the destruction

 

[lazer50]

I wonder if that material is similar to what was used in a set of snap on hammers i had.over time the handles all the way to head excluding tips disintegrated.they just crumbled apart for no reason.i did get a replacement set with a new material design.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

The same thing happened to my Harbor Frieght tool box.

 

[rsanter]

Re: Prematurely Biodegradable

The caster wheels are rubber, 1-3/4“ wide and 5“ tall. They seem formulated so as to biodegrade, but do so far too quickly, as some plastics, rubber, and vinyl products on rubber shoes, cars, and other things. The cabinets are probably 15 years old, but, still, it’s disappointing to see a poor quality material on an industrial product. I examined the other wheels, and several have begun to break apart as well. The others have cracks in them.

It is a trade off.
If formulated to be very hard they will last longer but they feel cheap when you roll them and they offer no give or shock adsorbing.

If they make them softer they don't last as long age wise, they do offer some shock adsorbsion and typically feel better to the user.

The more expensive better wheels are hard on the inside and have a softer coating

Bob

 

[Jazz1]

I use shopping cart casters I salvage from shopping carts. Spring is a good time to salvage carts that have been victims of snow plows. Shopping cart casters are used on my tool cart as well as car skates.

 

[KU_MechE]

Free replacements for 15 year old casters? Why are you entitled to free casters that are 14 years out of warranty? Yes, rubber degrades over time. Just replace the old casters and move on.

 

[JJThrasher]

Free replacements for 15 year old casters? Why are you entitled to free casters that are 14 years out of warranty? Yes, rubber degrades over time. Just replace the old casters and move on.

Well since it has a lifetime warranty why wouldn't he be entitled to free replacement? This is pretty clearly a manufacturing defect. Casters shouldn't just fall apart.

 

[langss]

If you cannot find new casters that fit the holes in your cabinet, you can use 3/4" plywood for a base, bolt new casters to the plywood and your good to go. I did this to tool boxes where I used to work and they are still rolling fine and that's been more than 30yrs. Just pick good quality casters.

 

[abstamaria]

Replacement Casters

I searched the Web and found a source for caster sets for toolboxes—Caster Specialists. I ordered a “Premium Line” 2”/5” caster set in “non-marking polyurethane tread on a polypropylene plastic hub." 3,000 lbs capacity, which is a per wheel rating, I think.

The casters have arrived, and thankfully the mounting plates are exactly like the original ones. The pattern must be standard for Proto, Snap-On, and other brands. They have grease *******.

It was easy to lift one side of the roll cabinet with a floor jack (I have a really low one), remove the old casters, and install the replacements.

I hope these last a little longer.

Andy

 

[Pucman1]

It looks like they may last.....I will check back in 15 years!

 

[abstamaria]

If they hold uo for 15 years, I should be happy, Pucman 1.

Andy

 

[slow]

I had similar casters fail on my toolbox that was in one place for 8 years when I moved a couple of years ago.

I had red/black ones that I purchased for a fan from woodcraft supply, that failed after about 8 years in my dyno cell.

Ryan

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Re: Replacement Casters

I searched the Web and found a source for caster sets for toolboxes—Caster Specialists. I ordered a “Premium Line” 2”/5” caster set in “non-marking polyurethane tread on a polypropylene plastic hub." 3,000 lbs capacity, which is a per wheel rating, I think.

The casters have arrived, and thankfully the mounting plates are exactly like the original ones. The pattern must be standard for Proto, Snap-On, and other brands. They have grease *******.

It was easy to lift one side of the roll cabinet with a floor jack (I have a really low one), remove the old casters, and install the replacements.

I hope these last a little longer.

Andy

Andy do you have the website? Thanks

 

[abstamaria]

Here you go, Silverplate.

http://www.casterspecialists.com/browse-by-caster-application/tool-box-caster-kits.html

 

[alberto]

Re: Replacement Casters

I searched the Web and found a source for caster sets for toolboxes—Caster Specialists. I ordered a “Premium Line” 2”/5” caster set in “non-marking polyurethane tread on a polypropylene plastic hub." 3,000 lbs capacity, which is a per wheel rating, I think.

I hope these last a little longer.

Andy

Andy:

I have those exact same ones on a Lista cabinet that I converted into a tool box. About 5 years old and they seem fine. If your box is very heavy and you rarely move it, it gets a temporary flat spot, that seems to go away after you move it. Just be careful though, the wheel material is soft enough that a small nail or small rocks can embed into the material and could scratch your beautiful floor. I recently cleaned my casters after a move, and found a few small rocks and the broken head of a nail embedded into mine.

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, Alberto. I'll keep that in mind.

Andy

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Here you go, Silverplate.

http://www.casterspecialists.com/browse-by-caster-application/tool-box-caster-kits.html

Thank you!

 

[abstamaria]

Replace all?

I wonder now whether I should replace the casters on the other cabinets. They are 2" wide wheels, wider than the 1-3/4 wheels that fell apart, and look all right upon inspection. They may have a life, too. The polyurethane wheels look quite good though, so replacing all is tempting..

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

Algood

I don't think that I'd go with algood, as they are the ones that are breaking apart now.

I decided to replace the casters on the other tool cabinets (also Proto), even if they haven't shown signs of disintegrating. Interestingly, these original casters are by Algood. The difference is that they use plastic wheels, as against the rubber ones that deteriorated.

I reasoned that they may break apart in the near future, but the real reason is that the red wheels look pretty cool.

Best,

Andy

 

[abstamaria]

All casters now changed.

Although the hard plastic casters on the rest of the tool cabinets were still fine, I decide to change all to the neat red casters. They look good. I hope they last.

 

[JPinSTL]

Surplus Center has several options for "surplus" toolbox casters. $20/4 means they are cheap enough to replace periodically. Or you can go metal and be done with it.

 

[pcmeiners]

Fiberglass reinforce wheels....

https://apollocaster.com/store/inde...=65513&zenid=0d975d0d7b81f8bb7464308a5a91596a

"3,000 lbs capacity, which is a per wheel rating,"
That is per set, "polyurethane tread on a polypropylene plastic hub" is not rated for super strength.

 

[abstamaria]

Thanks, JPinSTL, pcmeiners. If these last as long as the original set, I will be happy. They sell for about $78 peers et of four and are rated at 3,000 lbs, which I assume is a per wheel rating.

Best,

Andy

 

[C lectric]

My tool box casters were replaced 30+yrs ago with polyurethane tired casters, Faultless 1400-6 On a rough floor one of the casters dropped into a hole and caved in the box bottom. Darn near dumped the box.
I built a steel cart and set the box on that. I built the cart so the box sits approx 4" lower than the original box did.
Rated 750# each caster and they have seen miles of use. My box got pushed all over the plants I worked in. Just greased the axle once in a while. Now it gets a rest at home.

Get decent casters and they will last a long time. The polyurethane wheels will roll over small obstructions that a hard wheel will stop on. As pointed out though the softer tire will get stuff embedded.

 

[abstamaria]

Many thanks, C lactic. Good advice.

 

[RANDY4ALA]

Mcmaster Carr